ouverture

Definition of ouverture

plural

ouvertures

1:overture 4; especially: french overture The first movement of each suite is an ouverture, a hefty movement in the French style propelled by dotted rhythms … — Chris Woodstra et al., All Music Guide to Classical Music, 2005

2: a Baroque orchestral suite beginning with an overture In Germany and France, the suites are usually called ouvertures, which is also the designation of the first movement — Chris Woodstra et al., All Music Guide to Classical Music, 2005